UPDATE 1-Soccer-Southampton to sign Japan defender Yoshida

August 31, 2012|Reuters

* Yoshida set to sign for Southampton

* Will link up with compatriot Lee

(Writes through with quotes, detail)

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Southampton are set to shore up theirdefence with the signing of Japanese international Maya Yoshidaafter the central defender and his Dutch club VVV-Venlo agreedto a deal, the English Premier League club said.

The 24-year-old, capped 17 times by his country, will sign athree-year contract for an undisclosed transfer fee provided heis given entry clearance. He has already secured a work permit.

"To come to the Premier League was one of my biggest dreamssince I was a child," Yoshida, who captained Japan in the 2012London Olympics, said in a statement.

"I am very grateful to become a Saint. I want to show themwhat I can do as soon as possible."

Yoshida will join compatriot Tadanari Lee at St Mary's butit is likely he will need to wait to make his debut in England'stop flight.

The stopper was on Thursday named in the Japan squad for afriendly against the United Arab Emirates next week and a 2014World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Saitama on Sept. 11.

Newly promoted to the Premier League, Southampton have lostboth their opening games and face a daunting task againstManchester United this weekend.

Saints manager Nigel Adkins is eager to get Yoshida, scorerof last year's Goal of the Season in the Netherlands, intoharness.

"We are delighted to bring Maya into the club," he toldSouthampton's website. "He is a centre half who is comfortableon both the right and left-hand side. He has a good physicalpresence."

Yoshida is the second deal this week lined up by Saintsafter African Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner Emmanuel Mayukaand his Swiss club Young Boys agreed transfer terms.

Southampton are also hopeful of signing Uruguayan wingerGaston Ramirez from Italian side Bologna.

(Reporting by Josh Reich and Ossian Shine; Editing by TonyJimenez and Patrick Johnston)